J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Feb;68(2):169-174. 10.3348/jksr.2013.68.2.169.

A Study on the Deterioration and Performance of the Specific Medical Imaging Equipments in the Republic of Korea

• Lee YR
• Yong HS

• KMID: 2097995
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2013.68.2.169

Abstract

PURPOSE
Mammography (MG), CT, and MRI, designated the specific medical imaging equipments, were assessed for quality control. This study aims to inspect the relationship of the deterioration level and failure rates of the specific medical imaging equipments.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The complete results of the quality control exam of MG and CT from 2006 to 2011 and those of MRI from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed. There were three standards for analysis: the type of exam, the written or detailed exam; the deterioration level, at more or less than 10 years after manufacture; the type of institution, the general hospital, district hospital, or clinic. We excluded the data of reexaminations to avoid the overlap and the equipments of unknown manufacture year.
RESULTS
The failure rates of MG had decreased, and the differences by the deterioration level or type of medical institution had disappeared also. In case of CT, the failure rate of old equipment was consistently high, but the overall failure rates of CT had decreased. The overall failure rates of MRI were low, and there were no differences of the failure rates by the deterioration level.
CONCLUSION
The effects of the deterioration level, more or less than 10 years after manufacture, would be limited to the performance of MG and CT.

MeSH Terms

Diagnostic Imaging
Hospitals, District
Hospitals, General
Mammography
Quality Control
Republic of Korea

Reference

1. Seoul National University College of Medicine. Research on the Current Status of Radiological Images for the Development of Quality Assurance Guideline. 2001. Seoul: Ministry of Health & Welfare.

2. Korean Institute for Accreditation of Medical Imaging. Study for Improvement of policy regarding specialized high end medical equipment. 2010. Seoul: Ministry of Health & Welfare.